2 Days Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda
2 Days Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda
Overview
Our 2 Days golden monkey trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanos National Park takes you to one of Africa’s oldest wildlife conservation areas. The Volcanoes National Park is found in the northwestern part of Rwanda. arguably the most popular national park in Rwanda. With a significant increase in the number of visitors ever since reopening in 1999 after the civil war and genocide. The main attraction are the endangered mountain gorillas but the park is also home to golden monkeys, forest elephants, buffaloes, bush duikers and spotted hyenas.
The Volcanoes National Park has 178 species of birds on record. The park has diverse vegetation including afro-alpine types (on higher altitudes), bamboo forest on the lower mountain slopes, hygenia rainforests, savanna grasslands and swamps. The main reason for this remarkable biodiversity is the existence of five volcanoes within the park – Mount Karisimbi, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura.
Golden monkey trekking is special because there is no age limit. Even families with kids can go to track the primates. Unfortunately, golden monkeys are endangered just like the mountain gorillas. Their numbers have dwindled in the last two decades and there are concerns among primatologists that if nothing is done, they could become extinct.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali – Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Ruhengeri – Ibyiwacu Cultural Village
Safari vacations and travel services Driver/Guide will pick you up from Kigali in the morning from your hotel or at the airport. He will brief you about the tour and take you for a city tour of Kigali. The city tour in Kigali involves visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, the former presidential palace, city markets and the craft shops.
You will have lunch and then proceed to the Volcanoes National Park. The journey takes about 2 hours through amazing countryside with beautiful rolling hills and sights of people working in their gardens. Once you reach your lodge, check in, refresh and briefly enjoy the majestic views of the Virunga volcanoes. Your driver will come to pick you and take you for a tour of the Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre. The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is Rwanda’s most visited cultural site. It is being all Rwanda’s tribes gather to showcase their cultural heritage through dance, drama and storytelling. This is where you will learn everything there is to know about the people and culture of Rwanda. You will be requested to participate and buy one of the local souvenirs.
Dinner and Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury). Kinigi Guest House (Budget), and Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range)
Day 2: Golden Monkey trekking – Departure to Kigali.
Wake up early and take your breakfast before transferring to the headquarters in Kinigi. The briefing starts at 7:30 and ends at 8:00am. From there, you will be taken along other trackers to the starting point which is at the foot of the Volcano. The scenery is beautiful with dense green forest and the five volcanoes standing in all directions.
Finding the monkeys is easy because they love eating bamboos which are found on the lower slopes of the Volcanoes. After finding them, you are allowed one hour with them. You are free to follow them if they move about. Golden monkeys are not shy once they finish the process of habituation. Expect to have close encounters with them which will allow you get nice photos of them.
Unlike mountain gorillas, golden monkeys don’t mind flash cameras. In fact, they love being photographed. Taking good photos is not easy because of their mobility but you will have no issues with videos. Golden monkeys are very playful primates and you will be amazed as you watch them demonstrate their natural skills in climbing trees and picking tasty shoots from the edges of bamboo trees.
They love potatoes and will not hesitate to go out into human gardens to a get a few. You will learn more about their behavior and why they are endangered. You will return to the starting point after the one hour with the golden monkeys and then continue the journey back to Kigali.
